Top 5 Feature Screenplay Contests to Boost Your Career in 2019

We all know that winning or placing in a screenwriting contest can be a great way for new and emerging writers to get that important first foot on the ladder, but not all contests are created equal, meaning that different contests can open different doors for you. There’s plenty on offer out there, but while that big enticing cash prize can feel like a well-earned reward for all of that hard work you’ve put into your script, you need to ask yourself whether it’s going to help you advance your writing career in the long run or just pay some short term bills? We’ve looked at a wide spectrum of contests happening in 2019 and whittled them down to a select few to help you effectively plan your contest submissions for the coming year focusing on the best competitions and fellowships that can get you to the top of the career ladder faster.

 

SHORE SCRIPTS – FEATURE CONTEST

Ok, obviously we had to start with our own contest, but we’re not blowing our own trumpet just for the sake of it, we’re one of the dedicated few who wants to see our winners get their projects produced and get their career’s rolling.

Key Points

• Winning scripts are read by our 19 OSCAR & BAFTA-winning judges.
• We’ve helped 60+ writers gain representation, option, sell and have their screenplays produced.
• The winning scripts get free script development from our team.
• The writer can see their script score, which is a useful tool in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a concept. 

Notable Prizes

• Introductions & meetings with Hollywood Agents and Managers.
• The winning scripts are sent out to our roster of 80+ production companies.

–   Every entry receives a ‘Getting Your Screenplay Produced’ book to help take them on to the next step.

 

LAUNCH PAD – FEATURE CONTEST

Tracking Board has an impressive list of success stories stemming from its six-year run.

Key Points

• The teamwork to promote the winner via their hungrily awaited published booklets, best script lists, and industry announcements.
• They help prepare winners for representation meeting, pitch meetings, and generals, helping you to craft additional works.
• They track every read of your script, letting you know who’s reading your script and when.

Notable Prizes

• The winner is flown to L.A. for an exclusive Launch Pad Industry event featuring dozens of industry professionals.
• Both writer and script are showcased individually to agents, managers, executives, and producers looking for new clients.
• Free Studio Coverage from the Launch Pad Coverage Program.

 

WESCREENPLAY – FEATURE CONTEST

This consultancy run contest is definitely worth checking out

Key Points

• Heavily focused on career development.
• They’ve helped writers secure representation.

Notable Prizes

• Feedback for every entry
• Promises Industry Distribution for the winners.
• 1-year Script Lab subscription

 

TABLE READ MY SCREENPLAY CONTEST

Another contest that’s often missed, but the unique prize makes this well worth the effort.

Key Points

• Having your script read aloud by professional actors can be a fantastic help to your writing.
• Prior to the Table Read Showcase, an established director will personally meet with the winner to workshop the script.
• The Short Script live table read is also recorded and broadcast on the ISA’s Curious About Screenwriting Network.

Notable Prizes

• Cash, Flights, & Lodgings are provided for the winner.
• An invitation onto the ISA Development Slate where the team will work with the winner for a minimum of 1 year to get the writer and script in front of industry execs.
• Plus, Table Read also fly the winner out during the featured major festival and take him/her to events.

 

SCRIPT PIPELINE – FEATURE CONTEST

Script Pipeline has been around for a long time and we can see why.

Key Points

• One of the longest running contests out there, the reputation of placing in this contest is probably more than enough.
• $6 million in screenplay and pilots have been sold by competition finalists and “Recommended” writers.
• Winners receive exclusive invitations to annual writer and industry events hosted by the Pipeline Media Group.

Notable Prizes

• The $25,000 cash price isn’t something to be sniffed at!
• The contest offers long-term circulation of the winning script to the industry.
• Development assistance form Pipeline’s senior executive team is also offered.

Those were just 5 of the contests designed to help writers advance their careers, but check out our feature script competition prize comparison table below as a quick guide to finding what contest best suits your needs.

Contest	Industry Judges	Cash	Script sent to Industry Professionals	Industry Meetings	Mentorship	Script Feedback	Festival, Event, or Retreat Access	Extra’s, Memberships, & Discounts
American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest	✓	✓	✓
Austin Film Festival Script Competition	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
BlueCat Screenplay Competition		✓				✓
Cinequest Screenwriting Competition		✓	✓				✓	✓
CineStory Foundation Feature Retreat and Fellowship		✓			✓		✓	✓
Creative World Awards		✓					✓	✓
Cynosure Screenwriting Awards		✓						✓
Film Independent Screenwriting Lab					✓	✓	✓
Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest		✓		✓		✓	✓
Fresh Voices Original Screenplay Competition		✓	✓	✓		✓		✓
ISA Fast Track Fellowship					✓		✓	✓
Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays		✓	✓					✓
Launch Pad Screenwriting Competition	✓		✓	✓			✓	✓
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards		✓		✓		✓		✓
ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship				✓
Screenplay Festival		✓	✓					✓
Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition		✓	✓	✓	✓		✓
Shore Scripts Feature Screenplay Contest	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
Slamdance Screenplay Competition		✓	✓				✓	✓
Sundance Feature Film Program							✓
Table Read My Screenplay Contest		✓		✓	✓		✓
trackingb.com TV	✓		✓
The WeScreenplay Feature Competition	✓	✓	✓
The Writers Lab							✓

Want to download your own copy of our 2019 Screenwriting Contest Calendar? Click HERE.